Benefits Advice Service NI

Our Welfare Rights service can help you claim disability related benefits, income related benefits and other concessions available to you if you are blind or partially sighted and living in Northern Ireland.

Claiming your full entitlement

The benefits system can seem very confusing. It's not always easy to know what you qualify for or what to write on the form. We offer a confidential benefits check and advisory service free of charge for blind and partially sighted people. Our qualified advisers can provide information on the full range of social security benefits, tax credits and other allowances or concessions available to people with sight loss. We can assist you in claiming your full entitlement and support you in any appeal you may have to make.

Making an appointment

The service is available by appointment over the phone or in any of our premises in Omagh, Coleraine, Derry/Londonderry or Belfast.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to arrange a home visit, just speak to one of our Welfare Rights team.

Finding out more about benefits

Bear in mind, it's always best to check back with our Welfare Rights team as to how this information applies in Northern Ireland.

PIP, Changes to DLA and other benefits in Northern Ireland

From 20 June 2016, Personal Independence Payment or (PIP) will replace Disability Living Allowance or (DLA) for people of working age.

From this date new claimants aged between 16 and 64 will be assessed for PIP. Anyone already receiving DLA before 20 June 2016 will be re-assessed for PIP from December 2016 over a two year period.

Like DLA, PIP will continue to be a non-means tested non-taxable benefit. It's meant to help with costs associated with living with a disability.

Visit our All about PIP page, which has some really detailed information and a handy PIP toolkit.

The NI Direct website has plenty of information on benefits available to you if you have a disability and live in NI. You can also find detail about other aspects of the recent Welfare Reform such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and the Benefit cap.

Contact us and get the facts

One of our Welfare Rights team will be happy to help you by carrying out a full benefits entitlement check or just offering advice, information or putting your mind at ease. Call 028 9032 9373 or email benefitsNI@rnib.org.uk.

Our service is very popular, and we would ask for your patience but we will try and arrange an appointment as soon as we can.